Biodiesel (fatty acid methyl ester) mandate

The Republic of Korea (South Korea) is a net energy importer. The government ran a biodiesel program in the capital area from 2002-2005, to reduce petroleum imports and increase clean energy supply. The plan was to implement the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) program in July 2006.

In 2007, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) established the First Medium- and Long-Term Biodiesel Promotion Plan, setting a 0.5% v/v biodiesel blending limit and encouraging voluntary participation by offering incentives to oil marketing companies. The biodiesel percentage increased by 0.5% v/v annually and reached 2% v/v in 2010. Biodiesel is defined here as fatty acid methyl ester (FAME).

In 2009, the government encouraged owners of trucks, buses, heavy-